MIFA 'Meals on Wheels' needs your vote to win FedEx grant

Submitted by Kelsey Jacobson, Digital Content Director / WMCTV.COM

Friday, May 10th, 2013, 2:04pm

MIFA 'Meals on Wheels' needs your vote to win FedEx grant

The Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA) is in the running to win a grant for its Meals on Wheels program, but the nonprofit needs your help to win.

According to MIFA, Memphis was declared the hunger capital of the country in 2011.

The Meals on Wheels program delivers 1,800 hot lunches each day to seniors in the community who are unable to leave their homes.

Now, MIFA is one of several nonprofits competing for a grant from FedEx.

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, FedEx is sponsoring a Global Month of Service. The shipping giant is encouraging its own team members to team up with nonprofits to make a difference in their communities.

The "Friends of the MIFA Maniacs" are hoping for your votes in order to give the Meals on Wheels program a boost so it can make an even bigger impact on the Memphis community.

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Fans 'assume all risks' at Memphis sporting events

Submitted by Lauren Squires on Thursday, May 9th, 11:24 pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - The fine print on the back of a ticket stub may be the last thing a sports fan will check when arriving at the track, on the court, or at the ballpark. Although, spectators are encouraged to think about the hidden costs that come with their tickets.

For 12 years and counting, Mary Lois Banks attends baseball games at AutoZone Park.

"I don't miss very many games," said Banks.

Her dedication to seeing the team live explains why she knows every player. Also, she also knows the risk she takes sitting in her season ticket seat by the first baseline.

"We thought the ball was going to the right of us, and as we watched it the wind, [it] hooked it back in. I realized it was going to hit me, so I threw my blanket over my head and ducked. And it hit me," said Banks.

Her trip to the ballpark left her with a knot on her forehead, and bruises all over her face.

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7,000 sculpture moved back to National Civil Rights Museum

Submitted by Ben Watson, Reporter

Thursday, May 9th, 2013, 4:49pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - The huge sculpture that used to greet visitors at the National Civil Rights Museum is out of storage and back where it belongs in the lobby.

The 7,000 pound sculpture had been a staple at the museum since it opened in 1991.

It is called "Movement to Overcome" and it arrived on a flatbed truck. Within seconds of it being back in place, visitors began snapping pictures of it.

"We just wanted to take a picture of the whole side show and we're just lucky that this was arriving today," said Bob Harry, who was visiting from Perth, Australia.

It took a 60 ton crane to move the sculpture. Tracy Lauritzen-Wright is the project's manager.

"It ended up looking a lot easier than I thought it would," she laughed. "I think everyone's hearts were beating when we first started doing this last fall but it went so smoothly."

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Huey's holds burger design contest

Submitted by WMCTV Web Staff

Thursday, May 9th, 2013, 2:27pm

May is National Burger Month, and in celebration, Huey’s will be holding its first Design the Next Huey Burger Contest through May 31, 2013.

This contest is open to everyone in the Memphis community, and the winner will receive a $50.00 Huey’s gift card and a chance for the winning burger to be featured on the Huey’s Fall Specials menu.

All entries must use the traditional Huey’s 5 1/3 oz. patty, seasoned with Huey’s seasoning. Burgers must be designed using a bread style that Huey’s currently carries: sesame seed bun, wheat bun, sourdough bun, Kaiser roll, wheat berry bread, wheat toast, Texas toast, hoagie roll, marble rye, or croissant. Entries must use either French’s mustard or Cattleman’s BBQ sauce. Recipes must include specific measurements, cooking instructions, and layering techniques. The burger must have a name.

All burger entries should be emailed to Shannon Little at slittle@hueys.cc by May 31st . Judging will be based on taste and creativity.

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RDC employee compensations total $2.6 million

Submitted by Kontji Anthony, Action News 5 Anchor/Reporter

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013, 5:36pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - Memphis Mayor A C Wharton is responding to criticism of Riverfront Development Corporation employee salaries. Employees make $2.6 million combined, and still want more funding.

"It will be thoroughly examined. Where it will end up ... I simply do not know," said Wharton.

Mayor A C Wharton promised a review of the city's 14-year contract with the Riverfront Development Corporation to manage the Mississippi riverfront.

"It represents a real dilemma. There's so much potential on the river. We are a river city," said Wharton.

Councilman Harold Collins highlighted the RDC's $2.6 million price tag for employee compensations.

The RDC's 36 full-time employees average of $63,000 a year, including benefits.

You look at that salary and you ask the question: Are we getting more for this higher salary than we would have gotten for a lower salary, if we kept it in-house at the city?" said Wharton.

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Grizz fan will overcome religious restrictions to see playoff game

Submitted by Andrew Douglas on Wednesday, May 8th, 4:39 pm

MEMPHIS, TN- (WMC-TV) - A Memphis Grizzlies fan is showing how much he believes in our team by walking to FedExForum from East Memphis to see the game Saturday.

The game is already sold out, but Adam Groveman has tickets and a plan to get to the Grizz game, despite religious restrictions.

Groveman is an Orthodox Jew and Saturday is the Sabbath. Because of his religious beliefs, this Grizzlies fan will not be driving to the game, but instead, walking. And he is inviting others to join him on the 11 mile trek.

"There's a lot of laws and restrictions between Friday night and Saturday sundown that we can't ride in cars, use electricity," he explained. "My buddy, Ryan Baum, is going to walk with me again."

Groveman created a Facebook event page in order to invite others to join him. His route is already mapped out. It is the same one he walked two years ago when the Grizzlies took on the Spurs on a Saturday.

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